"I was too afraid to commit suicide because everyone would be mad at me." -- journalist Angelle Albright

Archbishop Gregory Aymond and journalist Angelle Albright talked to local Catholic high school girls Friday afternoon about using their talents and living in unity, at the Young Women's Unity Fest II at Xavier Preparatory High School. Students from local all-girl Catholic high schools including Archbishop Chapelle, Sacred Heart and Ursuline Academy attended the event, which students from Xavier Prep and Mount Carmel Academy planned for the second year running.

Ten students from each of the schools attended the event with the goal of "celebrating yesterday, growing from today and coming together for tomorrow." Aymond opened by telling the students that though adults often refer to them as leaders of tomorrow, they can be leaders today by helping promote unity and working together to make the community better.

View full sizeA banner from Ursuline Academy students in support of Xavier Prep is one example of Catholic school unity.Megan Braden-Perry, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Albright talked about following her dreams and trying to find religion after abandoning the Catholic Church twice and being diagnosed with cancer. She also mentioned a subject many girls of high school age have to deal with: suicide. "I asked the lord to give me cancer or some other type of disease that would just kill me," Albright confessed. "I was too afraid to commit suicide because everyone would be mad at me."

Near the end of Young Women's Unity Fest II, the students were encouraged to share their feelings about self-image, accepting criticism and responding to compliments.